System and method for removing debris from a storage facility

ABSTRACT

Autonomous carriers or totes that include vacuum units are provided. As the totes move or are moved through a warehouse carrying products, they collect debris. The debris can be analyzed at the tote, and actions can be performed based upon the analysis.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/890,463, filed Aug. 22, 2019, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

These teachings relate to the removal of debris from warehouses andother facilities where products are stored.

BACKGROUND

Warehouses and other storage facilities store products, parts,components, and other items. Sometimes debris enters the facility.Debris may include dust, smoke, or contaminants to mention a fewexamples. The debris may make it sometimes difficult and, in some cases,hazardous for humans or automated vehicles to retrieve warehouse items.

One type of storage facility utilizes automated storage and retrievalsystems (ASRSs). The ASRS manages the retrieval and movement of products(or other items) within the facility. For efficiency, these types offacilities are usually densely packed making it especially difficultand/or expensive for humans or large automated vehicles to remove debrisfrom these types of facilities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above needs are at least partially met through the provision ofapproaches for debris collection and/or analysis in a warehouse orsimilar facility, wherein:

FIG. 1 comprises a diagram of a system as configured in accordance withvarious embodiments of these teachings;

FIG. 2 comprises a flowchart as configured in accordance with variousembodiments of these teachings;

FIG. 3 comprises a diagram of a system as configured in accordance withvarious embodiments of these teachings;

FIG. 4 comprises a diagram of a system as configured in accordance withvarious embodiments of these teachings;

FIG. 5 comprises a diagram of a system as configured in accordance withvarious embodiments of these teachings;

FIG. 6 comprises a diagram of a system as configured in accordance withvarious embodiments of these teachings;

FIG. 7 comprises a diagram of a system as configured in accordance withvarious embodiments of these teachings;

FIG. 8 comprises a diagram of a system as configured in accordance withvarious embodiments of these teachings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally speaking, autonomous carriers or totes that include vacuumunits are provided. As the totes move or are moved through a warehousecarrying products, they simultaneously collect debris. The debris canalso be analyzed at the tote, and actions can be performed based uponthe analysis.

In aspects, an autonomous carrier (vacuum tote) is designed anddimensioned such that it matches the dimensions of the standard storageand order fulfilment totes, so, for example, it can fit into existingautomated carts or other vehicles/movement mechanisms. In aspects and byplacing this item on or in an automated cart (or other vehicle), thecart becomes a cleaning machine while simultaneously fulfilling orders,moving products, and performing other duties or functions it has withina warehouse.

In other aspects, the ASKS may instruct that totes are used in a“cleaning mode.” A tote that includes a vacuum unit is brought to aspecified location as efficiently as possible, and, while in cleaningmode, the automated system moves this cleaning tote continuously along apath over as many points as possible, cleaning as it goes. Once filledwith debris (e.g., the compartment where the debris is stored is filledas indicated by internal sensors), the tote empties and cleans itself.

In some other aspects, a port is disposed at the tote that allows thetote to dock to a specific location within the ASRS facility where thedebris obtained by the vacuum unit can be emptied, in this way, the totedoesn't need to be fully ejected/dispensed/removed from the ASRSfacility to be emptied. The location of the port may also serve as thestorage location for the tote when it is not being used.

In yet other aspects, the storage locations for totes may have air ductsfor supplying cool air that keeps certain fresh items stored at thatlocation cool. In aspects, the vacuum tote is able to dock to the airducts and allow cool, clean air to be blown or forced into the vacuumtote.

In examples, the tote includes a vacuum unit and onboard power to runthe vacuum unit. In aspects, onboard power is replenished through abattery swap at a home base of the tote, electrical contacts on the homebase, cart or ASRS internal crane, or wireless charging at theselocations. Alternatively, it may be able to sap power from the shuttlingsystem bots' batteries when being transported around the ASRS facility,or from the grid through electrical contact via the shuttling bot.

In still other aspects, the debris can be analyzed for a variety ofdifferent characteristics. For example, the existence of moisture can beused to detect conditions for bacterial growth and possibly trigger adifferent kind of cleaning or other follow-up action such asinvestigating the operation of a heating ventilation and airconditioning (HVAC) system operating at the warehouse. Temperature ofthe debris can also be analyzed for conditions for that might lead tobacterial growth, fire, or to trigger some follow-up action. Knownpathogens such as E. coli, listeria, or black mold may also be detected.The detection of a certain characteristic may trigger lockdown of afacility, quarantine of a facility, or cancellation of stored orders andsending replacement orders to a nearby separate storage areas.

In other examples, the dust intake rate may analyzed to determine iffollow-up cleans are necessary. In still other examples, known gasesassociated with certain decomposition to locate spoilage in the ASRSfacility or store (e.g., ethylene) may be detected and appropriateaction taken. In still other examples, smoke/ozone may be detectedindicating fires or electrical problems. Alerts may be issued, orauthorities may be autonomously called. Other examples are possible.

In other aspects, cameras (e.g., also including lights) at the tote maybe used to record events of significance for humans. The videos can bereviewed either manually or automatically to investigate any issue. Insome examples, a video is initiated or still image obtained any time asignificant event (e.g., the detection of any of the above-mentioneddebris) occurs.

In many of these embodiments, a system for removing debris from aproduct storage facility includes a plurality of pathways and a firstautonomous carrier. The product storage facility includes a plurality ofproduct storage units that hold products, and the products are ofmultiple and different types. The plurality of pathways are disposedthroughout the storage facility. The pathways extend between or aroundthe product storage units.

The first autonomous carrier is configured to independently traverseselected ones of the plurality of pathways. The first autonomous carrieris configured to carry products to and from selected ones of the productstorage units. The first autonomous carrier includes multiple storagespaces for holding different types of the products. The first autonomouscarrier also includes a vacuum unit. The vacuum unit is configured toremove debris from the pathways as the first autonomous carriertraverses the pathways as it carries the products.

In aspects, the vacuum unit of the first autonomous carrier is furtherconfigured to analyze characteristics of the debris, determine an actionto take based upon the analysis, and take the action. The action is oneor more of sending an alert message to an employee of the productstorage facility, moving selected one of the products within thefacility, or sending a control signal to control an environmentalcontrol apparatus within the facility. Other examples are possible.

In examples, the system further includes a second autonomous carrier.The second autonomous carrier is of the same dimensions and form factoras the first autonomous carrier. In aspects, the second autonomouscarrier includes a second vacuum unit and does not include any space forcarrying products.

In other examples, the first autonomous carrier includes a propulsionunit to cause the first autonomous carrier to traverse the pathways.

In still other examples, the characteristics of the debris include thesmoke content of the debris, the mold content of the debris, the ozonecontent of the debris, or the bacteria content of the debris. Otherexamples are possible.

In other aspects, at least some of the pathways include conveyor belts.In still other aspects, the pathways include portions of a floor. In yetother aspects, the pathways included an elevated mezzanine and transportrail structure.

In other examples, the first autonomous carrier includes a sensor andthe sensor is configured to obtain an environmental characteristic. Theenvironment characteristic is a temperature, a pressure, or a humidity,wherein the vacuum unit determines whether the sensed characteristic iswithin a predetermined acceptable range, and when the predeterminedcharacteristic is not within the predetermined acceptable range, alertthe employee of the product storage facility.

In others of these embodiments, an approach for removing debris aproduct storage facility includes providing a product storage facility,the product storage facility including a plurality of product storageunits that hold products, the products being of multiple types.

A plurality of pathways that are disposed throughout the storagefacility are provided. The pathways extend between or around the productstorage units.

A first autonomous carrier that is configured to traverse the pluralityof pathways is also provided. The first autonomous carrier is configuredto carry products to and from selected ones of the product storageunits. The first autonomous carrier includes multiple storage spaces forholding different types of the products. The first autonomous carrieralso includes a vacuum unit. The vacuum unit is configured to removedebris from the pathways as the first autonomous carrier traverses thepathways as it carries the products.

In other aspects and at the vacuum unit of the first autonomous,characteristics of the debris are analysed. An action to take isdetermined based upon the analysis and the action is taken. The actionis one or more of sending an alert message to an employee of the productstorage facility, moving selected one of the products within thefacility, or sending a control signal to control an environmentalcontrol apparatus within the facility. Other examples are possible.

In much of the description provided herein, the term “carrier” and“tote” are used to describe the units where the vacuum unit is disposed.It will be appreciated that the terms “carrier” and “tote” areinterchangeable as used herein.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a system 100 for removing debris from awarehouse 102 (or similar facility) is described. The warehouse 102includes product storage units 104 and pathways 106 between or aroundthe product storage units 104.

The product storage facility includes the plurality of product storageunits 104 that hold products, the products being of multiple types. Theplurality of pathways 106 are disposed throughout the storage facility,and the pathways 106 extend between or around the product storage units104.

A first autonomous carrier 108 is configured to independently traverseselected ones of the plurality of pathways. The first autonomous carrier108 may include a propulsion system (or be integrated into anotherplatform that has a propulsion system). In one aspect, the firstautonomous carrier 108 includes a control circuit that allows thecarrier to navigate to a destination without human input (or controlprovided by some external or centralized controller). In this case, thefirst autonomous carrier 108 may find an optimum path and avoidobstacles. Some movements of the first autonomous carrier 108 along thepathways 106 are indicated by the arrows labelled 103.

The first autonomous carrier 108 (or a platform or vehicle carrying thecarrier 108) is configured to carry products to and from selected onesof the product storage units 104. In these regards, the first autonomouscarrier 108 includes multiple storage spaces 120 for holding differenttypes of the products. As mentioned, the first autonomous carrier 108also includes a vacuum unit 122. The vacuum unit 122 is configured toremove debris from the pathways as the first autonomous carrier 108traverses the pathways 106 as it carries the products.

The first autonomous carrier 108 may include a propulsion unit thatallows the first autonomous carrier 108 to move under its own powerthrough the pathways 106. The first autonomous carrier 108 may beintegrated into a cart, shuttle, or other similar device or vehicle thatincludes wheels that allows the carrier to move along the pathways 106.

In aspects, the vacuum unit 122 of the first autonomous carrier 108 isfurther configured to analyze characteristics of the debris, determinean action to take based upon the analysis, and take the action. Inaspects, a control circuit (described in greater detail below) may beused to perform the analysis. The action is one or more of sending analert message to an employee of the product storage facility, movingselected one of the products within the facility, or sending a controlsignal to control an environmental control apparatus within thefacility. Other examples are possible.

In one example, the warehouse 102 may implement an ASRS system. Inaspects, shuttles may carry the first autonomous carrier 108. Theproduct storage units 104 are racks and lifts are provided to allowvertical movement of a shuttle from one level to another level. In thiscase, the pathways 106 are at multiple levels or planes. In such anapproach, horizontal movement of the shuttle is accomplished byindependent shuttles each operating on one level of the rack while thelift (at a fixed position within the rack) is responsible for thevertical movement of the shuttle.

A control circuit 110 may be disposed at a central location or at thewarehouse 102. It will be appreciated that as used herein the term“control circuit” refers broadly to any microcontroller, computer, orprocessor-based device with processor, memory, and programmableinput/output peripherals, which is generally designed to govern theoperation of other components and devices. It is further understood toinclude common accompanying accessory devices, including memory,transceivers for communication with other components and devices, etc.These architectural options are well known and understood in the art andrequire no further description here. The control circuit 110 may beconfigured (for example, by using corresponding programming stored in amemory as will be well understood by those skilled in the art) to carryout one or more of the steps, actions, and/or functions describedherein.

In aspects, the control circuit 110 implements an automated storage andretrieval system (ASRS). The control circuit 110 may inform the carrier108 (or platform/vehicle carrying the carrier 108) of a product to move(or retrieve) and allow the carrier 108 (e.g., as integrated withanother vehicle or propulsion unit) to independently navigate toretrieve the product. In other examples, the control circuit 110 mayinform the carrier 108 of where the product is and the carrier 108 (orplatform/vehicle carrying the carrier 108) independently navigates tothe destination to retrieve the product. In other examples, the controlcircuit 110 controls the operation of a mechanism (e.g., a conveyorbelt) that move the carrier to the destination. In yet other examples,the carrier 108 controls the operation of a mechanism (e.g., a conveyorbelt) that moves the carrier 108 to the destination.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an approach for removing debris from awarehouse or similar facility is described.

At step 202, a product storage facility is provided that includes aplurality of pathways disposed between product storage units. Theplurality of product storage units hold products and the products are ofmultiple types. In aspects, the facility is a densely packed facilityand an automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) is implemented atthe facility. As described elsewhere herein, the storage facility may bestructured with trollies, shuttles, shelving units, conveyor belts, andother elements. These may be arranged at one or more vertical levels.

At step 204, a first autonomous carrier is configured to traverse theplurality of pathways is also provided. The first autonomous carrier isconfigured to carry products to and from selected ones of the productstorage units. The first autonomous carrier includes multiple storagespaces for holding different types of the products. The first autonomouscarrier also includes a vacuum unit. The vacuum unit is any type ofvacuuming device that removes any type of debris from the storagefacility. The carrier may be included within or carried by some othervehicle or platform (e.g., shuttle or conveyor belt).

At step 206, the vacuum unit of the carrier removes debris as the firstautonomous carrier traverses the pathways as it carries the products.The carrier may also include a debris storage area or compartment wherethe debris is stored and/or analysed.

At step 208 and at the vacuum unit of the first autonomous carrier,characteristics of the debris are analysed. Analysis may includeperforming various types of testing on the debris such as visuallyanalysing the debris (e.g., using a camera to take pictures of thedebris and automatically analysing the contents of the debris, forexample, using a machine learning model), and/or performing chemicaltests on the debris (e.g., applying various chemicals or other additivesand analysing the reaction of the debris). Other examples of testing andtesting procedures are possible.

At step 210, an action to take is determined based upon the analysis andthe action is taken. Once the analysis is complete, an action can bedetermined at the carrier. The carrier may have a transceiver unit wherethe action can be communicated to other entities (e.g., other controlcircuits, a central controller, other autonomous carriers, vehicles,supervisory personnel to mention a few examples). In other examples, theresults of the analysis are transmitted to another control circuit orcontroller, which determines the action to take.

In examples, the action is one or more of sending an alert message to anemployee of the product storage facility, moving selected one of theproducts within the facility, or sending a control signal to control anenvironmental control apparatus within the facility. Other examples ofactions are possible.

At step 212, the action is taken. In examples, a message may betransmitted, or an electronic control signal is send causing some otherentity to perform some function.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a carrier 300 that includes product storage anda vacuum unit is described. The carrier 300 is the same dimensionsand/or from factor as other carriers that do not have vacuum units andonly include storage space.

The carrier 300 includes an intake 302, a product storage area 304 (withproducts 305), a vacuum chamber 306 with a vacuum unit 308. A debrisstorage area and debris analysis devices may be included in the vacuumchamber 306 or in other locations at the bottom of the carrier 300. Ahandle 310 may assist movement of the carrier 300, e.g., by a cart orvehicle. The intake is a structure that collects debris and may extendunder the vacuum chamber 306 and allow debris 312 to be vacuumed by thevacuum unit 308 with debris movement in the direction indicated by thearrow labelled 303. As mentioned, a debris storage area may also existunderneath the vacuum chamber 306. Debris analysis devices may also bedisposed underneath the chamber and/or within the debris storage area toallow for analysis of the debris 312.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a carrier 400 that does not include productstorage and only acts a vacuum unit is described. The carrier 400 is ofthe same dimensions and/or from factor as other carriers with vacuumunits and storage spaces (e.g., the carrier 300 of FIG. 3).

The carrier 400 includes an intake 402, a debris storage area 404, avacuum chamber 406 with a vacuum unit 408. A handle 410 may assistmovement of the carrier 400, e.g., by a cart or vehicle. The intake 402couples to the debris storage area 404 and allows debris 412 to bevacuumed by the vacuum unit 408 with debris movement in the directionindicated by, the arrow labelled 403. Debris analysis devices may alsobe disposed within the debris storage area 404 to allow for analysis ofthe debris. In contrast to the carrier 300, the carrier 400 does notcarry any products or items. However, the dimensions (e.g., height,width, and depth) and/or form factor (e.g., shape) of the carrier 400 isthe same as that of the carrier 300.

It will be appreciated that the carriers 300 and 400 can be usedtogether to effectively remove substantial amounts of debris from thestorage facility. For example, some central controller may determine aschedule, coverage, and/or routes for various carriers of differenttypes (those that move products and those that do not move products).The schedule, coverages, and/or routes (of particular carriers) may bebased upon the need for product movement at a particular time (e.g., atcertain times more or fewer product movements are occurring), carriersthat are out of service for repairs, carriers that are having theirdebris removed, and/or other factors. Carriers may also coordinateamongst themselves to determine an optimal schedule, coverage, androutes to take through a facility.

Referring now to FIG. 5, one example of autonomous carrier movement in astorage facility is described. Carriers 502 are placed on an autonomousvehicle 504, which carries and moves the carrier 502. Carriers 502 areof the types described herein and provide for the removal (andpotentially analysis) of debris as they move through the system of FIG.5. The autonomous vehicle 504 moves along and/or amongst the racks 506.The automated vehicle has a lifting mechanism 508 to move the carriers502 to a position on the racks 506 (e.g., to a shelf on the racks 506where the shelf on the racks is above ground level).

Referring now to FIG. 6, another example of autonomous carrier movementin a storage facility is described. A conveyor roller 602 provides forhorizontal movement of carriers 604 on the ground level of the facility,independent shuttles 606 operate on or at different levels of a rack608. In aspects, the shuttles may move within the racks using a rail.Lifts 610 raise the carriers 604 that are to be placed on or attached tothe independent shuttles 606. Thus, the lift 610 is at a fixed positionwithin the rack 608 and is responsible for the vertical movement of thecarriers 604. The carriers 604 are of the types described herein andprovide for the removal (and potentially analysis) of debris as theymove through the system of FIG. 6.

Referring now to FIG. 7, another example of autonomous carrier movementin a storage facility is described. The system of FIG. 7 includes lifts702 with carriers 704 that move the carriers to product storage units706. Conveyor belts 708 also move the carriers 704 to the lifts 702, Thecarriers 704 are of the types described herein and provide for theremoval (and potentially analysis) of debris as they move through thesystem of FIG. 7.

Referring now to FIG. 8, one example of an autonomous carrier 800 isdescribed. The carrier 800 includes a product storage area 802, a vacuumunit 804, vacuum intake 806, debris chamber 808, a control circuit 810,and a communication device 812. The product storage area 802 isconfigured to store a product 814. The product 814 can be any type ofproduct with any type of packaging. The area 802 can also be used tostore sub-totes that themselves carry products.

It will be appreciated that one or more functions are autonomouslyperformed by the carriers 800. That is, one or more functions areperformed without human involvement or intervention, or the involvementor intervention of a central control center (or other controlarrangement external to the carrier 800). For example, the carrier 800may independently navigate to or cause a vehicle carrying the carrier800 to independently navigate through a warehouse or other storagefacility. In another example, the carrier may independently analyze thedebris and determine an action to take.

In some other examples, the carrier 800 is both autonomous andcontrolled. For instance, a vacuum function may be externallycontrolled, while the carrier itself, once it receives activation (or aschedule) from an external source, may independently navigate through awarehouse or other storage facility.

The control circuit is coupled to the communication device 812. Thecommunication device 812 may include an antenna and/or a transceiver.Communications are received and/or transmitted from the communicationdevice 812. For example, instructions may be received for the vacuumunit 804 to be activated or deactivated. Results of any analysis of thedebris (made by an analysis unit 816) can also be communicated to anoutside entity. In addition, actions e.g., alerts) can be sent orinstructions to other entities to take actions can be communicated tothe outside entity via the communication device 812.

The control circuit 810 is coupled to the vacuum unit 804, thecommunication device 812, and the analysis unit 816. The analysis unit816 includes devices or mechanisms to analyse debris in the debrischamber 808. For example, the analysis unit 816 may include mechanismsto detect smoke, contaminants, or determine the chemical composition ofdebris. In other aspects, the analysis unit 816 includes one or morecameras that obtain images of the debris. The images can be analysed bythe control circuit 810 (or sent to another control circuit outside thecarrier 800 via the communication device 812). For example, machinelearning approaches may be used to analyse the images.

The vacuum intake 806 allows debris 805 to be vacuumed by the vacuumunit 804 along the path labelled with the label 807 from outside thecarrier 800 through the vacuum intake 806 and into the debris chamber808. The debris chamber 808 may have a port (not shown) where debris inthe debris chamber 808 may be periodically removed. Once the debris isin the debris chamber 808, the analysis unit 816 and/or the controlcircuit 810 may analyse the debris and some action may be taken.

In some embodiments, one or more of the exemplary embodiments includeone or more localized IoT devices and controllers (e.g., included withor associated with the various devices, sensors, totes, carriers, orvehicles described herein). As a result, in an exemplary embodiment, thelocalized IoT devices and controllers can perform most, if not all, ofthe computational load and associated monitoring and then laterasynchronous uploading of data can be performed by a designated one ofthe IoT devices to a remote server. In this manner, the computationaleffort of the overall system may be reduced significantly. For example,whenever localized monitoring allows remote transmission, secondaryutilization of controllers keeps securing data for other IoT devices andpermits periodic asynchronous uploading of the summary data to theremote server. In addition, in an exemplary embodiment, the periodicasynchronous uploading of data may include a key kernel index summary ofthe data as created under nominal conditions. In an exemplaryembodiment, the kernel encodes relatively recently acquired intermittentdata (“KRI”). As a result, in an exemplary embodiment, KRI includes acontinuously utilized near term source of data, but KRI may be discardeddepending upon the degree to which such KRI has any value based on localprocessing and evaluation of such KR′. In an exemplary embodiment, KRImay not even be utilized in any form if it is determined that KRI istransient and may be considered as signal noise. Furthermore, in anexemplary embodiment, the kernel rejects generic data (“KRG”) byfiltering incoming raw data using a stochastic filter that provides apredictive model of one or more future states of the system and canthereby filter out data that is not consistent with the modelled futurestates which may, for example, reflect generic background data. In anexemplary embodiment. KRG incrementally sequences all future undefinedcached kernals of data in order to filter out data that may reflectgeneric background data. In an exemplary embodiment, KRG incrementallysequences all future undefined cached kernals having encodedasynchronous data in order to filter out data that may reflect genericbackground data. In a further exemplary embodiment, the kernel willfilter out noisy data (“KRN”). In an exemplary embodiment, KRN, likeKRI, includes substantially a continuously utilized near term source ofdata, but KRN may be retained in order to provide a predictive model ofnoisy data. In an exemplary embodiment, KRN and KRI, also incrementallysequences all future undefined cached kernels having encodedasynchronous data in order to filter out data that may reflect genericbackground data.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety ofmodifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect tothe above described embodiments without departing from the scope of theinvention, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinationsare to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for removing debris from a product storage facility, the system comprising: a product storage facility, the product storage facility including a plurality of product storage units that hold products, the products being of multiple types; a plurality of pathways that are disposed throughout the storage facility, the pathways extending between or around the product storage units; a first autonomous carrier that is configured to traverse selected ones of the plurality of pathways, the first autonomous carrier configured to carry products to and from selected ones of the product storage units, the first autonomous carrier including multiple storage spaces for holding different types of the products, the first autonomous carrier also including a vacuum unit, the vacuum unit being configured to remove debris from the pathways as the first autonomous carrier traverses the pathways as it carries the products.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the vacuum unit of the first autonomous carrier is further configured to analyze characteristics of the debris, determine an action to take based upon the analysis, and take the action, the action being one or more of sending an alert message to an employee of the product storage facility, moving selected one of the products within the facility, or sending a control signal to control an environmental control apparatus within the facility.
 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second autonomous carrier, the second autonomous carrier being of the same dimensions and form factor as the first autonomous carrier.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the second autonomous carrier includes a second vacuum unit and does not include any space for carrying products.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first autonomous carrier includes a propulsion unit to cause the first autonomous carrier to traverse the pathways.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the characteristics of the debris include the smoke content of the debris, the mold content of the debris, the ozone content of the debris, or the bacteria content of the debris.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein at least some of the pathways include conveyor belts.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the pathways include portions of a floor.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the pathways included an elevated mezzanine and transport rail structure.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first autonomous carrier includes a sensor, the sensor is configured to obtain an environmental characteristic, the environment characteristic being a temperature, a pressure, or a humidity, wherein the vacuum unit determines whether the sensed characteristic is within a predetermined acceptable range, and when the predetermined characteristic is not within the predetermined acceptable range, alert the employee of the product storage facility.
 11. A method for removing debris from a product storage facility, the method comprising: providing a product storage facility, the product storage facility including a plurality of product storage units that hold products, the products being of multiple types; providing a plurality of pathways that are disposed throughout the storage facility, the pathways extending between or around the product storage units; providing a first autonomous carrier that is configured to traverse the plurality of pathways, the first autonomous carrier configured to carry products to and from selected ones of the product storage units, the first autonomous carrier including multiple storage spaces for holding different types of the products, the first autonomous carrier also including a vacuum unit, the vacuum unit being configured to remove debris from the pathways as the first autonomous carrier traverses the pathways as it carries the products.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising at the vacuum unit of the first autonomous carrier, analyzing characteristics of the debris, determining an action to take based upon the analysis, and taking the action, the action being one or more of sending an alert message to an employee of the product storage facility, moving selected one of the products within the facility, or sending a control signal to control an environmental control apparatus within the facility.
 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a second autonomous carrier, the second autonomous carrier being of the same dimensions and form factor as the first autonomous carrier.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the second autonomous carrier includes a second vacuum unit and does not include any space for carrying products.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the first autonomous carrier includes a propulsion unit to cause the first autonomous carrier to traverse the pathways.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the characteristics of the debris include the smoke content of the debris, the mold content of the debris, the ozone content of the debris, or the bacteria content of the debris.
 17. The method of claim 11, wherein at least some of the pathways include conveyor belts.
 18. The method of claim 11, wherein the pathways include portions of a floor.
 19. The method of claim 11, wherein the pathways included an elevated mezzanine and transport rail structure.
 20. The method of claim 11, wherein the first autonomous carrier includes a sensor, the sensor is configured to obtain an environmental characteristic, the environment characteristic being a temperature, a pressure, or a humidity, wherein the vacuum unit determines whether the sensed characteristic is within a predetermined acceptable range, and when the predetermined characteristic is not within the predetermined acceptable range, alert the employee of the product storage facility. 